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United States Patent |
5,733,385
|
Dallman
|
March 31, 1998
|
Blade for a flail type brush cutting machine
Abstract
A blade for a flail type brush cutting machine. The blade is torch cut or
cast from thick metal in a generally L shape to have any desired angle
between its stem and floor, in the preferred embodiment the angle is
ninety degrees to insure a close cut of brush. The thicker metal will cut
thicker brush. A resharpenable cutting edge is also torch cut or cast on
the floor of the blade making the cutting edge of the blade resharpenable
and renewable by repeat torch cutting. An elliptically shaped attaching
hole is also torch cut or cast in the stem of the blade for attaching the
blade to a hanger to then be attached to the shaft of the flail cutter.
This attaching hole can also be torch cut or cast into any desired shape.
A method of providing a blade for a flail type brush cutting machine is
also disclosed.
Inventors:
|
Dallman; Jimmie J. (3709 99th Dr. S.E., Issaquah, WA 98205)
|
Appl. No.:
|
671006 |
Filed:
|
June 28, 1996 |
Current U.S. Class: |
148/194; 56/249.5 |
Intern'l Class: |
A01D 050/02 |
Field of Search: |
266/48
148/194,196,200
56/229
76/101.1,104.1
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
2691262 | Oct., 1954 | Swertfeger | 55/118.
|
3199609 | Aug., 1965 | Robinson | 172/45.
|
3441999 | May., 1969 | Perdue et al. | 148/196.
|
5570571 | Nov., 1996 | Dallman | 56/249.
|
Primary Examiner: Kastler; Scott
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Thies; Donna J.
Parent Case Text
This is a division of application Ser. No. 08/605,653 now U.S. Pat. No.
5,570,571 filed Feb. 22, 1996.
Claims
Having described my invention, I claim:
1. A method for producing a blade for a flail brush cutting machine
comprising the steps of:
a) providing a metal member;
b) torch cutting the metal member to form a floor of the blade extending
generally horizontally in parallel relationship to a ground surface, the
floor having a cutting edge;
c) further torch cutting the metal member to form a stem of the blade
integral with the floor of the blade, the stem extending generally
vertically at any angle from the floor of the blade, the stem having an
attaching means for attaching the blade to a flail cutter; and whereby the
cutting edge on the floor of the blade is disposed on the same plane and
even with the brush to be cut, and whereby more than one blade may be
integrally formed together in a one piece unit by the torch cut process.
2. The method for producing a blade for a flail cutting machine as defined
in claim 1 wherein:
the attaching means is a hole in the stem of the blade for attaching the
blade to a flail cutter.
3. The method for producing a blade for a flail cutting machine as defined
in claim 1 wherein the angle between the stem and floor of the blade is
less than one hundred eight degrees.
4. The method for producing a blade for a frail brush cutting machine as
defined in claim 1 further comprising the step of:
d) re-torch cutting the cutting edge on the floor of the blade to a cutting
edge different than the cutting edge originally torch cut.
5. The method for producing a blade for a flail brush cutting machine as
defined in claim 1 wherein:
the attaching hole in the stem of the blade is generally elliptical; and,
whereby the blade can easily slide on a hanger to thereby flail freely.
6. The method for producing a blade for a flail brush cutting machine as
defined in claim 2 wherein:
the attaching hole in the stem is generally circular.
7. The method for producing a blade for a flail brush cutting machine as
defined in claim 5 further comprising the step of:
torch cutting the generally elliptical hole in the stem.
8. The method for producing a blade for a flail brush cutting machine as
defined in claim 2 further comprising the step of:
torch cutting the generally circular hole in the stem.
9. The method for producing a blade for a flail brush cutting machine as
defined in claim 1 wherein the stem and floor are torch cut to form a
blade that is at least 5/16 inch thick.
10. The method for producing a blade for a flail brush cutting machine as
defined in claim 1 further comprising the step of:
a) re-torch cutting the edge on the floor of the blade;
whereby the cutting edge is resharpenable and renewable by repeat torch
cutting.
11. A method for producing a blade for a flail brush cutting machine
comprising the steps of:
a) providing a metal member;
b) casting the metal member to form a floor of the blade extending
generally horizontally in parallel relationship to a ground surface, the
floor having a cutting edge;
c) further casting the metal member to form a stem of the blade integral
with the floor of the blade, the stem extending generally at a 90degree
angle from the floor of the blade, the stem having an attaching means for
attaching the blade to a flail cutter; and
whereby the cutting edge on the floor of the blade is disposed on the same
plane and even with the brush to be cut, and whereby more than one blade
may be integrally formed together in a one piece unit by the cast process.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to brush cutting machines and more
specifically to a blade for a flail type brush cutting machine.
In general, a flail type brush cutting machine is a tractor having a flail
cutter attachment attached to the front of the tractor. The flail cutter
attachment is generally a shaft member having a plurality of receiving
holes on its outside perimeter for receiving a plurality of hangers, a
pair of hangers each holding a pair of blades. As the shaft is carried
over the ground, the blades slash into the brush to be cut. Typically, in
the prior art, the blades used on the flail cutter are an obtuse angled
member having a stem; with an attaching hole which attaches to a hanger,
and a floor; angled at greater than ninety degrees from the stem, the
floor having a cutting edge for cutting brush as the blades are thrust
into the brush as the shaft rotates near the ground. Generally, the prior
art blades are formed from a relatively thin, flexible metal cut into
strips and bent to form the obtuse angle. These thin metal strips have
poor integrity due to the forced bend in this relatively thin metal,
resulting in excessive breakage of the blades with resultant down time
required to change the blades. The prior art blades are not bent to have a
full right angle between the stem and the floor of the blade because to do
so would reduce the integrity of the blade even more.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,691,262 to Swertfeger discloses a brush clearing machine
with flails that are cast. The flail blades are chisel shaped and have an
angle other than 90 degrees.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,812,701 to Weaver, Jr. discloses a rotary hoe with teeth
that are forged from angled stock.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,938,326 to Lundell discloses a hay chopper having radially
positioned members for chopping and gathering hay.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,177,640 to Mott, Jr. discloses a mower blade construction
with reversible and resharpenable blades. Elliptical mounting holes are
used to attach the blades to a link which attaches to a roller. The blades
are bent to form and thus would be vulnerable to breakage.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,834 to Lambert et.al. discloses a synchronized flail
that uses strengthened flail blades.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,642 to Rasmussen discloses a welded replacement grouser
bar for an agricultural implement.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,734 to Mills discloses a bottom blade for a grass
cutting unit which is formed by bending a steel mounting plate to form a
lip.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to overcome problems inherent in time prior art there has been
devised by the present invention all improved blade for a flail type brush
cutting machine. In the present invention, the blade, its attaching hole
in the stem for attaching the blade to a hanger, and the cutting edge of
the blade are all torch cut from a thicker sheet of metal into any
configuration desired. It is also within the spirit and scope of the
invention to cast the blade into any desired configuration. In the
preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stem of the blade and
the floor of the blade are torch cut as a one piece member having a ninety
degree angle between them. In this way, a stronger blade is formed having
the optimum angle for cutting the brush closely. Thus, without a forced
bend in the metal of the blade, there is increased integrity in the blade
with less breakage and consequent down time. The blade of the present
invention also cuts heavier brush because of its thicker metal and is
resharpenable and renewable also because of the thicker metal and the
cutting edge formed by the torch cut process. The cutting edge of the
present blade can be re-cut with a torch after the cutting edge has
dulled, thus reducing replacement costs for dulled blades as well as
replacement costs from breakage of the blade. By re-cutting the cutting
edge of the blade, any nicks or other flaws that may effect the cutting
efficiency of the blade are eliminated. In operation, two blades are
attached back to back onto time rotating flail cutter. It is therefore
also, within the spirit and scope of the invention to torch cut or cast
two or more blades together in a one piece integral unit.
It is therefore an object and advantage of the present blade for a flail
type brush cutting machine to provide a blade which cuts brush closely.
It is another object and advantage of the present blade for a flail type
brush cutting machine to provide a blade with high integrity and low
breakage characteristics.
It is yet another object and advantage of the present blade for a flail
type brush cutting machine to provide a blade with a resharpenable and
renewable cutting edge to thereby reduce replacement costs, and improve
the efficiency of the blade.
It is still yet another object and advantage of the present blade for a
flail type brush cutting machine to provide a blade which cuts heavy brush
due to its heavier metal composition.
These and other objects and advantages will become apparent with a review
of the following drawings and from a study of the specification portion
hereinafter describing the preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing how the blade of the present
invention is positioned on the flail cutter of an existing cutting
machine.
FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the prior art showing how prior art
blades are typically formed to have an obtuse angle formed between the
stem of the blade and the floor of the blade.
FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present
invention showing the right angle formed between the stem of the blade and
the floor of the blade and showing an elliptical attaching hole in the
stem of the blade.
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the present invention also showing the
right angle formed between the stem of the blade and the floor of the
blade.
FIG. 5 is a side plan view showing low the preferred embodiment of the
present invention is torch cut from a thicker metal into any desired
configuration.
FIG. 6 is a side perspective view showing how the flail blades of the
present invention are attached to an existing flail cutter.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now in general to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1 of the
drawings, there is shown a front perspective view showing how the blade of
the present invention is positioned on a conventional flail cutter of an
existing brush cutting machine. In FIG. 1 the brush cutting machine is
shown generally by the number 10 and the flail cutter is shown generally
by the number 12. It can be seen in FIG. 1 that the conventional flail
cutter 12 generally comprises a shaft 14 having a plurality of holes 16
positioned through the outer surface 18 of the shaft 14. This plurality of
holes 16 holds a plurality of tabs or hangers 20, the hangers 20 in turn
each holding blades 22 of the present invention. These hangers 20 are
positioned on the shaft 14 in pairs and hold two blades 22 back to back.
In FIGS. 1 and 3, it can be seen that the blade 22 of the present
invention is a generally L-shaped member comprising a stem 24 and a floor
26, the blades 22 being attached to a hanger 20 by the attaching means 28
in the form of a hole 30 in the stem 24 of the blade 22. In FIG. 1 showing
a conventional flail cutter, it can be seen that the hangers 20 are each
welded onto the shaft 14 in pairs. The hangers 20 provide a means for
attaching the blades 22 to the shaft 14 as will be shown and described in
greater detail with reference to FIG. 6. In the preferred embodiment of
the present invention, the blade 22 is torch cut such that there is a
ninety degree angle 32 between the stem 24 and floor 26 of the blade 22.
The floor 26 of the blade 22 carries the cutting edge 34 of the blade 22;
thus the floor 26 and the cutting edge 34 of the blade 22 are presented
parallel to the ground 36 and the brush 38 to be cut, thereby cutting the
brush 38 evenly and close to the ground 36.
The advantage of the right angle 32 configuration of the present blade
becomes clear when the right angle 32 configuration of the present blade
as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is compared to the obtuse angle 40 configuration
of the prior art blade 42 as shown in FIG. 2. The prior art blade 42 for a
flail cutter as shown in FIG. 2 is generally formed by strips cut out of a
relatively thin piece of metal. These strips are then bent to form the
obtuse angle 40 between the stem 44 and floor 46 of the prior art blade
42. By forcing a bend in the metal, the prior art blade 42 thus lacks
integrity and is easily broken or bent entirely out of useable shape upon
hitting a rock or other hard object. It can also be seen in FIG. 2 that
the prior art blade is bent to have an obtuse angle 40 between its stem 44
and floor 46 since to bend it further into the right angle configuration
32 of the blade 22 of the present invention would only reduce the already
poor integrity of the prior art blade 42 even more. Thus, it can be seen
that the prior art blade 42 is caused to be angled up and away from the
ground 36 and the brush 38 to be cut thereby causing an uneven and not
close cut of the brush 38. By contrast, the blade 22 of the present
invention is formed by torch cutting the blade 22, cutting edge 34 and
attaching hole 30 from a thicker piece of metal. In this way, any desired
angle can be cut between the stem 24 and floor 26 of the blade 22; any
desired configuration can be formed for the attaching means 28 in the form
of an attaching hole 30 in the stem 24 of the blade 22; and any desired
cutting edge 34 can be formed. It is also within the spirit and scope of
the invention to cast the blade 22, to have any desired angle between the
stem 22 and floor 26 of the blade, any desired configuration for the
attaching means 28 in the form of an attaching hole 30 in the stem of the
blade 22; and any desired cutting edge 34 can also be formed by casting.
Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, there is shown a side perspective
view of the present invention. It can be seen in the preferred embodiment
of FIG. 3 that a ninety degree angle 32 is formed between the stem 24 and
floor 26 of the blade 22 of the present invention. This ninety degree
angle 32 is the most beneficial for achieving a close cut of the brush 38.
The ninety degree angle 32 cut is therefore preferred for airports, golf
courses and the like. It is, however, within the spirit and scope of the
invention to have any desired angle between the stem 24 and floor 26 of
the blade 22. For example, an angle of greater than ninety degrees can be
used to cut heavier brush where a less close cut is desired. The preferred
angle of ninety degrees 32 will still cut the heaviest of brush 38,
however, and will cut the brush 38 closest to the ground 36. It can be
seen further in FIG. 3 that on the floor 26 of the blade 22 there is also
torch cut the cutting edge 34 of the blade 22. Because of the torch cut
process by which the blade 22 is formed, the cutting edge 34 of the blade
22 can also be cut to any configuration desired. Also, because the cutting
edge 34 is torch cut from a thicker metal, the cutting edge 34 of the
present flail blade 22 is resharpenable or more specifically completely
renewable. By re-torch cutting the blade 22, the cutting edge 34 of the
blade 22 becomes completely renewable. In removing part of the material of
the cutting edge 34 by torch cutting a new cutting edge, any nicks or
other missing chunks of metal in the existing cutting edge 34 are removed.
This is an obvious advantage over the prior art which if it is
resharpenable, it only resharpens the existing cutting edge with a grinder
or other similar means, leaving the cutting edge as it is with all nicks
and other cut reducing flaws intact. Renewing the blade 22 of the present
invention is accomplished by removing the dull blade 22, again torch
cutting a new cutting edge 34 and returning the blade 22 to the flail
cutter 12. This represents a distinct advantage over the prior art blade
42 which must be replaced after it is dulled with associated maintenance
time and expense. Also seen in FIG. 3 is the attaching means 28 in the
form of an attaching hole 30 on the stem 24 of the blade 22 for attaching
the blade 22 onto a hanger 20 which in turn attaches to the shaft 14 of
the flail cutter 12 as seen in FIG. 1. There are a plurality of hangers 20
welded to the shaft 14. These hangers 20 are positioned on the shaft 14 in
pairs and each pair of hangers 48 holds two blades 22 back to back, so
that each of the two blades 22 can, be reversed, to present a new cutting
edge 34'. These pairs of hangers 48 are spaced an equal distance apart
between rows 50 and are staggered intermittently as between columns 52.
Each pair of hangers 48 has a hole 54 therethrough for receiving a bolt 56
which in turn is inserted through a C-ring 58 and the pair of hangers 48
as seen in FIG. 6. The C-rings 58 each carry a pair of blades 22
positioned back to back. In the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the attaching means 28 in the form of an attaching hole 30 in
the blade 22 for attaching the blade 22 to the C-ring 58 is an elliptical
shape 60 to provide more room for the blade 22 to slide on the ring
portion 62 of the hanger 20. An elliptical shape 60 for the attaching hole
30 which attaches the blade 22 to the flail cutter 12, allows the blade 22
to swing back and forth more readily as it swings by the brush 38 to be
cut. With more movement of the blade 22 accomplished in this way a more
certain cut of the brush 38 is assured. Since the attaching hole 30 part
of the blade 22 is also torch cut, it too can be cut to any shape desired.
It is therefore, also within the spirit and scope of the invention to form
the attaching hole 30 into any desired shape. For example, a round hole 63
would be used to accomodate existing flail cutters 12 that use a round
attaching hole 63 for attaching the blade 22 to the hanger 20 as seen in
FIG. 7. Since, in operation, the blades 22 are positioned back to back in
pairs it is also within the spirit and scope of the invention to torch cut
or cast two or more blades 22 together in a one piece integral unit.
It can be seen therefore in FIG. 5 that to produce the blade 22 of the
present invention is a simple and inexpensive procedure. In practice, the
blades 22 of the present invention are very simply torch cut from a sheet
of one and one half inch metal, although any suitable width and type of
metal can be used. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention
the blade 22 formed is at least 5/16 inch thick, thus providing a thicker
and more substantial blade capable of cutting thicker and heavier brush.
Also, in the preferred embodiment, with a ninety degree angle 32 cut
between the stem 24 and floor 26 of the blade 22, a number of blades 22
are easily cut from the same piece of metal. Also, as seen in FIG. 5, the
back 64 of one blade 66 provides the front 68 for the next blade 70 to be
cut thereby assuring little waste and a minimum of torch cuts to provide
the most blades 22.
From the foregoing it can be seen that the applicant's invention provides
an improved blade for a flail type brush cutting machine that is formed of
heavy metal and thereby cuts heavier brush; the blade provides a ninety
degree angle between the stem and the floor of the blade to insure a close
cut of the brush with greater integrity and less breakage of the blade; a
resharpenable and renewable cutting edge on the blade is provided to
reduce maintenance and replacement costs and improve the efficiency of the
blade; and an attaching means in the form of an attaching hole for
attaching the blade to a hanger is provided in any desired shape for easy
and efficient attachment of the blade to the flail cutter. There has been
accomplished by the applicant's invention all of the objects and
advantages of the invention. Nevertheless, variation in the structure of
the invention and the arrangement of the various parts are within the
spirit and scope of the applicant's invention. The embodiments given have
been given only by way of illustration and the applicant is not to be
limited to the embodiments shown and described.
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